Driving While Fatigued

he definition of Fatigue is weakness or weariness resulting from physical exertion or prolonged stress. Fatigue while driving is a result of prolonged driving that is monotonous, involves adverse weather, heavy traffic or tight schedules. After two or three hours of driving, the central nervous system usually becomes fatigued, the senses become dulled and perception levels are lowered. Body and physical fatigue are caused by sitting in a forced posture in a fixed position with insufficient back support. Worsened conditions of fatigue come when they are combined with physical exertion or lack of sleep prior to driving and then compounding the affect while driving. The Navy did extensive studies on fatigue of fighter pilots as they were working to cut down the crashes and mishaps on deck during aircraft carrier operations. Much was learned and these findings have also made their way into the mainstream and understanding of motor vehicle operations.

Frequently fatigue and drowsiness are considered the same. However this is not the case. Drowsiness while driving is caused by lack of visual or physical stimulation. This happens frequently on freeways and roads where there is very little change in the environment. After continually seeing the same visual images over and over, the senses stop perceiving any fresh stimuli. This monotony causes a drop in information processing, dulled perception, muscle relaxation and narrowing of the visual field or tunnel vision. You may encounter this on long drives or stretches of roadway with little change of scenery. There are a few places in the United States such as driving on I-70 from Denver to Kansas City or on I-10 driving from San Antonio to El Paso. Drivers have also complained of areas on I-95 heading to and from Florida or on I-5 in California’s Central Valley.

What can you do to avoid fatigue and drowsiness? First of all, recognize the symptoms and signs of fatigue and drowsiness. Some of these symptoms are: a lack of concentration, aching back or hips, staring straight ahead of your vehicle, inability to keep your eyes open and restlessness. To combat mental fatigue, allow enough time for travel and rest periodically. Take rest breaks because they help build up and raise consciousness levels. To combat physical fatigue, use pillows or cushions to support the lower back. At rest breaks, do exercises that move muscles that were not used while driving and rest overtaxed muscles. To avoid drowsiness driving, add variation to driving operations. Open the window for fresh air, listen to the radio, stop for a break and exercise. If you are the driver, you will be more apt to become drowsy if passengers are sleeping. Ask the person in the passenger’s seat to stay awake. Switch drivers every two to four hours.

All of these mental conditions can affect your ability to drive safely. Stress, emotions, attitude, even positive attitudes can reduce concentration on driving, create mental and physical fatigue, anger, impatience or intolerance of other drivers. If you recognize the state of mind you are in before you drive, you will have a much better chance of arriving safely. Do something physical. Take a walk or jog. Talk the situation out with a friend or co-worker. Let someone else drive. If you have to drive, sit in your vehicle for a while before starting out. Take deep breaths and talk to yourself. You can deal with your stress, emotions and attitudes a lot better if you’re not driving.

Play it safe, we lose over 40,000 people per year on our highways and we do not need to add you to the statistics. Be careful America and buckle up.